Other video game companies, such as Electronic Arts and Epic Games, have taken similar decisions.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has shaken industries around the world, and video games are no stranger to the conflict. Companies such as Electronic Arts have joined the blockade of sales in Russia due to the war with drastic measures, and in recent hours others have joined in, such as Epic Games, although they are still offering access to the platform for now.

With each passing day, we learn of more new joiners to the widespread boycott, and we can already confirm that Activision Blizzard is another member. We know from a press release on the company’s website, entitled ‘In support of the Ukrainian people’, that President and COO Daniel Alegre has shared a message with his employees confirming that they will not be selling their games on Russian territory.

“Today, we are announcing that Activision Blizzard will suspend new sales of our games in Russia while the conflict continues,” explains Alegre. “I want to ensure that the safety of our employees is our team’s top priority. We are doing everything we can to help the employees and their families who are directly affected by this tragedy.”

Similarly, Activision Blizzard announced that the company will double employee donations to organizations providing immediate relief in Ukraine. Together, they have already raised more than $300,000 and plan to donate to even more charities this week. They also appreciated the contribution of colleagues in Poland who volunteered to help refugees.

Despite the solidarity initiative, Activision Blizzard has been in the news again in a negative way in the past week. There was a controversy over the non-hiring of women in management positions, and even a lawsuit from the family of an employee who committed suicide during a company outing.